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Sunday, 02/Nov/2008
Islay Blogging Roundup #53
It's been a while since I last wrote the Islay Blogging Roundup, three weeks to be precise. Now I hope I haven't forgotten how to do it while being away on holiday on Islay. Let's see what I can find in the blogs about Islay, Jura, Colonsay and even Scarba:
Let me start with the weather: Not only London had snow in October, no, Islay and Jura did as well. The Muasdale Report could see Snow on Islay from the mainland. Ron reports of an Early Start of Winter on Islay (even though all the pictures are of Jura...). Even the Islay Birds blog picks up on the snow!
As I've mentioned the Islay Birds blog, let me continue with it and the birdwatching: While the blogmaster himself is now off to warmer climates James keeps us updated with sightings of red kites and a jack snipe in colder but still beautiful weather. Last week Ian wrote about the geese walk and a possible sighting of an Arctic Tern (I was actually on that walk, unfortunately I didn't have the camera ready the moment the possible Arctic Tern flew past us).
Good news also from John Armitage, the Islay Birder: He's back to blogging after a forced break due to his monitor going up in flames. Scary! He follows up with counts and reports of Great Northern Divers and Slavonian Grebes.
After his recent visit to Islay Ron publishes an Islay Geese Video, followed by an Islay Geese-orama. In his Islay Nature Report 42 he focuses on the storms last week and some news from Jeremy Hastings.
Gordon Yates writes of Whooper Delight after his return from two weeks on Islay yesterday. We had both been rainbow chasing during the Stormy Weather the first week, I hope to see his results some time.
Cathy spent some time on Islay this summer for her summer field project, which was about Hymenoptera. That's bees, wasps, ants, sawflies and parasitic wasps for you and me. John (I'm guessing he's some kind of mentor) visited her on Islay during her project and brought back Islay dunes and Colletes floralis pictures (that's the Northern Mining bee for you and me).
How about some Islay holiday blogging? moonspinning says long time no blog, but has a wonderful account of a stay on Islay. The distracted muse hasn't been on Islay yet, but has only one word to say about a likely visit: excitement!
Robert Kidd combines travel with his business, as he's running a specialist travel company. His Island Odyssey - part two took him to Colonsay, which he is happy to report will be ‘featuring heavily in our 2009 holiday programme..’
Douglas Wilcox continued his series about sea kayaking around Islay with Of lighthouses and lenticulars!, The fastness of south east Islay, A lunchtime Guinness and a quick shag! and Leaving the "Angel's Share" on Islay. He also covers a place not many people get to: The east coast of Scarba after Another evening by the Corryvreckan.
Before I move on to the whisky I've got to catch up on a birthday: Yesterday was Joan Mitjavila's Aniversari. He already received his birthday card from Laphroaig, all that remains for me to say is ‘Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum Geburtstag!’
Tom of the ardblog presents the Ardbeg Blasda - Official Pictures and is a bit shocked by the high price for the Laphroaig 30 years “Càirdeas”.
I'm sure Mark Reynier of Bruichladdich will be quite pleased that a 5 year old story is still being picked up in the blogs: Schneier on Security: Keeping America Safe from Terrorism by Monitoring Distillery Webcams
Ron feels like the second Laddie Blog when picking up on Bruichladdich Distillery wins E250 Award. The Bruichladdich Blog itself reports about a film crew filming The Arte of Distilling (I need to get someone from Germany record that for me...) and some Rousing Stuff. Oh, and there's a picture of the interesting bunch of people working in the Bottling Hall.
Not only about Islay, but an interesting question is Single Malt Whisky; To age or not to age? Among others Ardbeg with its journey through the new expressions is mentioned.
Retiring to Islay is not necessarily a way to slow down as Scott Currie discovers: So Much for Retirement. There's just too much to do on Islay!
Pictures? You want pictures? I give you pictures: The aptly named Photogenic Scotland blog has the A Trip to Islay slideshow. They'll be back for Christmas, so with a bit of luck there will be more? May be of The Important Bit?
Right, I think that's enough for the first roundup after my return. As usual the reference to the Scottish Roundup for the bigger picture, this week's roundup not being up yet as I write though. Last week's was Mature unionism and immature campaigners and a wee while ago it was Dorothy as Child Tamer and other Useful Life Tips.
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